Antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of extracts from some selected mediterranean shrub species (Maquis)

Abstract

In this study in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of ethanol extracts of some plants from Urla region in Turkey were investigated. Plant material samples of Pistacia lentiscus, Vitex agnus-castus, Cistus creticus and Nerium oleander were collected in October, November and December. The harvesting time significantly affected their antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of these plant extracts. The highest biological activities in terms of antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities were observed for the leaf extract of C. creticus. The applied doses of leaf extracts of C. creticus, P. lentiscus, and N. oleander resulted in higher Bax and GAPDH expressions than those for control cells. These plant extracts may trigger apoptosis and may be a promising natural source for prostate cancer treatment.